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A dry, warm, soft bed is about the most important item of all, in a camp outfit; nothing is worse than a hard, cold bed— one's health, comfort, rest, everything depends on the satisfactory qualities of the sleeping outfit.

Don't Sit or Lay on the Bare Ground
Never sit or lay on the bare ground; a bed of leaves, grass or small twigs under canvas or bedding roll will answer the purpose. Military statistics has proven beyond question that one-half of the sickness incident to camp and field life is due to neglect of this important caution. Better sit on your hat, anything except the bare ground, even the Indian avoids this, he squats, as he knows it is harmful to him. The United States Government issues camp cots or beds to the United States troops in camp whenever possible. By all means avoid sitting or sleeping on the ground, is a golden rule in camp, even though it feels dry.

Sleeping pads

Heavy duck of sufficient size (waterproof khaki, if possible)
- Allow one-half to be placed under bedding on the ground (or preferably over a bed of dry leaves, twigs, brush or browse) the other half to cover blankets and tucked under, so as to keep the warmth in and the cold and dampness out.

Long, wide strip of canvas
- If gear is not available you can make almost any fair size piece of canvas answer the purpose of a good camp bed by first strewing brush leaves, grass, etc. on the tent floor and staking down over it at the ends a canvas floor cloth.

Can be
- slung up as a camp hammock
- made into a cot
- made into a zero-proof sleeping bag
- laid on the ground and keeps the sleeper dry

Packed / transport
- strapped to any size bundle or pack with adjustable straps provided for the purpose
- carried as a knapsack or blanket roll on back
- thrown into a wagon or buggy seat
- strapped to the saddle military fashion

pillow flaps
- formed of two large pockets
- clean clothing is kept neatly folded inside

foot flaps
- tuck in keeping the feet warm and dry

blanket flaps
- arranged to lay on or cover over (moderate / cold weather)
- arranged as a dewproof shelter tent, if desired to sleep out in the open air (very hot weather)

Camping cots

small portable, lightweight bed
- used by armies or government organizations
- foldable lightweight wood or metal frame
- covered with canvas, linen or nylon

Make a Camp Cot or Bed

Cot Method A
- piece of the canvas, about a foot longer than oneself, and 40 inches wide
- sew or stitch a hem 6 inches wide, along either side double seaming it
- take two poles or cut saplings about 3 inches in diameter and a foot longer than canvas
- run saplings through the ends or loops
- lay the ends in 4 strong forks driven and braced in the ground for the purpose

Cot Method B
- obtain some old, wide gunny sacks
- cut out the closed end so as to have both ends open
- take two poles or cut saplings about 3 inches in diameter and a foot longer than sacks
- slide these sacks over poles

Cot Method C
- piece of the canvas, about a foot longer than oneself, and 40 inches wide
- sew or stitch a hem 6 inches wide, along either side double seaming it
- Lay side poles on two logs
- brace poles apart by cut notches in the logs
- stretch tight and spread the canvas / blankets

Hammocks

Sling made of fabric, rope, or netting, suspended between two points
- one or more cloth panels
- woven network of twine or thin rope
- stretched rope between two firm anchor points (trees or posts)

Developed by tropical natives for sleeping
Used aboard ships by sailors for comfort and maximize space

Day-trip hammocks
- thin and lightweight material

Self-standing hammocks
- metal or wood structure supports

Backpacking hammocks (Hammock camping)
- sleep in suspended hammock rather than on the ground
- can be set up on the ground when supports are unavailable
- tarp suspended above for rain fly / shade
- Mosquito netting (optional)
- pockets for nighttime storage

Make your own hammock

Camp Beds

Air Mattress (Air Bed) and Air Pumps

Air pad requires an external pressure source to inflate (pump or by blowing orally)
- convection of the air inside reduces amount of insulation
- partitioning the internal cavities (increases insulation)
- filled air trap cavities, down feathers or synthetic insulation (increases insulation)

Don't permit oneself to be coaxed into buying an Air Mattress and Pillow, better put the price, and the weight, into good soft, warm blankets, sleeping bag, or combination mentioned before, and won't regret it.

Pillows and accessories

Don't lug a pillow along; take a pillow case and into it lay neatly folded your clean, dry clothing, (not bunched up) and it will form a capital pillow. If one dislike to sleep in the underclothes worn during the day, provide a suit of tan colored, military pajamas.